Plas Pencelli Outdoor Education Centre

What will students see and do?

Located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, Plas Pencelli is an outdoor learning centre owned by Swindon Borough Council. The centre welcomes visitors for UK school trips, offering activities for primary and secondary students.

The centre is usually the first choice outdoor adventure centre for schools from Swindon and the surrounding area. However, schools from anywhere are welcome to come and enjoy the facilities.

The building is a 200-year-old rectory and has been open as an activity centre for more than 50 years. For many visitors, Plas Pencelli is their first experience of outdoor activities in a wild environment.

Many of the activities take place in the 17 acres of attractive grounds surrounding the site. For further outdoor exploration, the Rivers Usk and Wye are nearby, as well as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. There’s also plenty of opportunity for hill walks, hikes and mountain biking in the surrounding area.

As well as outdoor adventure activities, Plas Pencelli offers field studies opportunities. The centre’s education team will work with you to create an trip that meets your intended learning outcomes.

Alongside a full daytime itinerary, the cost of your group’s visit includes evening events. These can include a trip to the nearby swimming pool in Breconor or a trip to a bowling alley or climbing wall.

Residential students also participate in the running of the centre during their stay, taking an active role in preparing meals, as well as organising and maintaining group equipment.

All professional staff at Plas Pencelli are qualified and experienced leaders. They are familiar with working with a range of different learning styles and educational needs and encourage pupils to challenge and stretch their personal limitations, rather than pushing them into activities they are not comfortable with.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Activities at Plas Pencelli are intended to fulfil national curriculum outcomes as well as facilitating personal development.

In particular, the curricular outcomes focus on citizenship, PE and PSHE, although there is potential for many other outcomes, from history to geography.

The ‘Mountain Day’ or hill-walking activities start with a hike or climb up some of the nearby peaks. Pupils can practise orienteering skills by using a map and compass to navigate the route. These activities develop problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Canoeing uses either single-occupancy or double canoes. Once students have learnt how to safely manage the vessels, games and competitions can commence! The activity builds confidence and communication skills.

Caving takes pupils to some of the nearby caves and rock formations to explore the spaces. As well as learning about how rocks are formed, pupils develop resilience and self-esteem as they make their way through the dark and wet enclosed spaces.

Climbing activities also take place at local rock faces. Students are introduced to safe rope techniques, and then cheer their peers on as they take it in turns to scale the rocks. The rock climbing activity builds confidence and teamwork skills.

Gorge walking sees pupils clamber over rocks, through streams and around waterfalls. This is a fun activity that develops self-esteem and communication.

Throughout their visit, students complete a ‘record of achievement’, which encourages them to reflect on their personal development throughout their activities.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

Thanks to its relationship with the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS), the centre maintains a number of risk assessments, which you can draw upon when completing the documentation required for your visit.

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